As part of the Mayor Bloomberg's 2007 plan to reduce the number of youth sent to juvenile detention, the Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator partnered with several area non-profits to begin offering alternative to detention services. CASES was selected as the provider of these services in Manhattan and launched its Choices Alternative-to-Detention (ATD) program for young people that are facing juvenile detention while their cases are pending in Family Court. The program is designed to avoid the disruption that arises when young people are taken out of their school and placed in detention, away from their family and support networks.

Screening

CASES court staff screen youth facing charges in Family Court and report to the courts on participant progress and compliance. The program also accepts referrals from the NYC Department of Probation.

Referrals to Choices

Services

• After-school activities - case management, education support, counseling, teen pregnancy prevention classes, cultural excursions, sports and camping trips.
• Community supervision - Choices' staff conduct home and school visits to make sure youth stay connected to community resources and receive the additional supports they need. Staff also keep the court informed of participants' progress and make adjustments to supervision levels if necessary.
• Legal services - legal education for families so that they understand their rights and responsibilities, and representation at school suspension hearings.

Community Partners

CASES is proud to collaborate with the following organizations in delivering program services:

• Union Settlement

• Youth Represent

• The Animation Project